Being on Schedule to participate as Your own Brand in #NYFashionWeek, is like Winning a GOLD Medal at the Olympics, especially as it is the gateway to the fashion worlds biggest market. Just under 2 years ago our very own #KingOfFashion – David Tlale – did just that! Now if it was anybody else, they would have played it safe, but it wasn’t anybody else – it was David Tlale. So what did he do, he dispensed with Styling the Models Hair and instead went for Head Pieces, Clean faces and Bold Lips, and it worked – the reviews were Stunning.

You can imagine then, how ecstatic we were when David Tlale accepted our invitation to participate in our inaugural FranklyWildPowerHalfHour FashionShow series. In case you’re wondering what a PowerHalfHour is, it is a combination of a catwalk, an installation (Models act as Mannequins) and a Buyers Lounge – all in the space of half an hour! If you’re still wondering, then it is best you pop down to Emperors Palace in Jozi this coming weekend (12th & 13th July) and see for yourself. It is also the inaugural event for The East Rand Wedding Show so it is going to be a very exciting weekend indeed, especially for all those Brides-to-be that are joining us.

To promote the event we asked David Tlale to pop into the Studio for a shoot. Being the Gentleman he is, he did exactly that. What we didn’t know is that he had just spent the week abroad, had spent the weekend in Cape Town, and was due to leave for the States the following day – but pop into the Studio he did! When we asked him about the ‘jet lag’ he answered, “I don’t have time for it, when I’m tired I sleep”. I suppose that is what sets David apart from the rest & why David is renowned for designing garments for Woman who want to make a statement #SexyPowerfulWoman #MakingAnEntrance #LoveDrama #HighFashion #ExcitingFabrics #CommandAttention

Knowing David, if you’re at the show, you may just get a chance to meet him! So pop down and come and say Hi……! Tickets are available on Webtickets or at the Door.

Makeup was compliments of @KBeautySA #KardashianBeauty @SavannaJardine & Hair was by @Dr_Foil #HairGenius. Thanks also to @ERWedding #TheEastRandWeddingShow for giving us an Event to Showcase our New #FranklyWild #PowerHalfHour #FashionShow Series, and of course @EmperorsPalace #YourPalaceOfDreams for the upcoming Venue.

Little did 13 young ladies realise a few weeks back, how talented and special they really are.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/n92-1EdG8vA[/youtube]

Something tells me that even now, some of them still may not realise it…maybe that’s a good thing, but over the next few weeks they are going to find out fast, just how hard you have to work to get that SHOT! Few young ladies ever get to have a ‘Shot at the Title‘, but these young girls have certainly earned theirs!

We cast over 130 people to be in our maiden FranklyWild #PowerHalfHourFashionShow, something we conceptualised just a few months ago, this coming July at the East Rand Wedding Show at Emperors Palace; featuring two of the countries hottest designers and the industry’s leading Bridal supplier.

On Monday we took the top 30 girls from the original casting, gave them some time to prepare, and then chose the final 13. I know it was nerve racking for some, but the truth of it is, that it was actually a really good opportunity. It was a real life experience for the girls, and as we all know experience equals success. At the very least all the girls that attended got to experience a professional industry casting, and for the talented 13 they get to taste a little more.

We’re shooting with them in the Studio today, so let’s take a look at some of the results. Some of them might just have a Shot At The Title…!

Let’s take a look at a selection of Designers showcasing their AW2014 collections at SA Fashion Week

Dramatic opening to the ‘Inspired by Minnie’ collection from Suzaan Heyns…

This October’s edition (2013) of SA Fashion Week was once again held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosebank, and as she does so effectively at each showcase Lucilla Booyzen once again provided us with an astounding exhibition of some of the finest fashion talent this country has to offer. Now I’m sure that if the rest of you are as passionate about fashion as we are, then you will already have siphoned through some of the blogs already out there updating us on this past weeks event. I’m going to give you our FranklyWild take on what was special for the AW2014 collections. Thanks to Crowne Plaza once again for your awesome hospitality, and a Big #ShoutOut to Lucilla & @safashionweek for another spectacular showcase.

The Foyer at Crowne Plaza Rosebank during SA Fashion Week…

One of my favourite’s this Spring had to be the Suzaan Heyns ‘Inspired by Minnie’ collection. I’ve always seen Suzaan as one of the more technical designers. Perhaps it is her attention to detail, and perhaps it is her training at LISOF. Most obvious however is that each collection is unique from the other, and more importantly her inspiration resonates throughout the collection and has a more strategic presence than most – in other words when we see a Suzaan Heyns collection, we know it is a Suzaan Heyns collection.

If I’m not mistaken I believe Suzaan was the first South African and perhaps even African designer to base her collection on the Disney character, Minnie Mouse – #AwesomeInspiration. #ShoutOut to @suzaanheyns for #InspiringFashion

Another inspiring collection that caught our eye was from the inspirited designer Shaldon Kopman’s Naked Ape AW2014 collection. Shaldon really got it right and seemed to have an insight into our mindset with this collection – this stuff is wearable to the upwardly mobile Gentlemen! Not only is the Style bold and resolute but it is taking us one step closer to catching up with our European counterparts, rather than following them. The collection was specifically African, the colours screamed out we love Autumn, and the fit looked snug; just what you want to be in AW2014. Maybe the Models looked snug too!

We also had the countries Top Stylists and Editors at the Show, invariably being hounded by the Press, including Chu Suwannapha from You & Huisgenoot and the ever present Jennifer Su.

We loved both the Designs and the Models for Palse Homme Ladies AW2014 – #Awesome!

And of course, the South African Fashion Week would not be complete without some flambouyant and discernible couture from @RomanHandt. Always relevant to a Man that wants to be noticed and most certainly showcase his ‘happening & here’ statements. For an Autumn/Winter collection it was delightfully cheerful – Roman Handt AW2014

Many of us associate the Michelangelo Towers Mall in Sandton, opposite the Sandton Convention Centre, with #Exclusivity, #TopBrands & #Unaffordable! Well at the beginning of the Month perhaps the most important of those associations was challenged and overcome, even if just for a spectacular weekend of Tenant Hospitality, Fashion Shows, Entertainment & Unadulterated Beauty.

Dr Foil preparing Anneri for the Tlale Show…

Yes, many of the Tenants offered serious discounts on selected stock for guests as they allowed us to Showcase their latest Fashion & Trends. Over the weekend, FranklyWild hosted four Fashion Shows, the Mrs South Africa Pageant Director & a dozen of her 2013 Finalists, and a ‘late night kick-butt’ Party courtesy of the VIP Room – one of #Jozi’s most exclusive nightlife venues.

Now I know what you’re all thinking, how did we manage to hold a competent fashion show in a Mall? Well it wasn’t easy, but thanks to the amazing Tenants that provided us with their latest collections, the exceptional professionalism of the models that we used, and an awesome Stage/Sound/Lighting team – Monster Productions & Events, it Rocked…!

Dino in David Tlale…

We were very honoured to have the privilege of hosting some of the country’s top brands at the Towers, and in particular one of South Africa’s hottest exports, David Tlale – who has just showcased his collection in the #MBNYFashionWeek. David allowed us to showcase for the first time in Jo’burg his Men’s Collection of exquisite garments – thanks @Tlale_large!

Etienne rocking the catwalk in a Tlale classic…

Of course the Audience loving Tlale and appreciating that it was the 1st time these Men’s Outfits were being showcased in #Jozi, absolutely absorbed every second of it, and welcomed our Male Models to the sound of rapturous applause – it really was something special to be there for the 1st Show!

Lesego ready to partner Etienne for a night-out in Tlale…

Now there is one thing that we have to say about David Tlale – This Man designs awesome garments! If you’ve met the Man in person you’ll recognise, that after just a few moments of conversation with him, that David has this unbelievable vision of Fashion & Style and how to transcend his thoughts into garment-masterpieces, sometimes I feel like he sees us all as a canvas. Both the Ladies & Men’s garments were spectacular.

A Big @_FranklyWild #ShoutOut to @Tlale_large for your Extravagant and Stunning Designs – you truly are a World Class Designer!

The actual theme of the weekend was Bridal Fair as the Towers were looking to promote their destination as one of the Continents leading Bridal havens. However, it is safe to say I believe that what we showcased had a lot more to offer than just bridal fair. One of the crowd favourites was the hats on show from Lou Lou’s Boutique. Bearing in mind we’d just a few months earlier had the Durban July, and considering that they are not a daily insistence from most of Gauteng’s double-XX’s, the response was not surprising – it was astonishing!

The Big Bridal Showstopper however, was our dear friends from Pronovias Barcelona. The Pronovias store in the Michelangelo Towers Mall is one of our favourite stores in Sandton, as not only do they have amazing staff & the widest range of breathtakingly stunning bridal gowns, but they also carry an amazing range of Cocktail Gowns – all sleek and sensual. Let’s have a look at what they showcased for us I have to mention that they were also our gracious sponsors of gowns for the Mrs South Africa 2013 finalists that Joani Johnson introduced us all to.

Joani is the Pageant Director for the Mrs South Africa contest and was the also the Winner in 2009. With the run into the finals drawing near, it is being hosted at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on the 5th October, competition between the ladies is getting fiercer by the day with each of them trying to outdo the other through charitable events and activities that benefit their direct communities.

Ana, Angelica & Dr Foil having some fun with Mrs SA 2013 Finalists…

A #Big @_FranklyWild #ShoutOut to @JoaniJohnsonSA & @MrsSAPageant and all the amazing work that they do that changes peoples lives for the better all around the country.

Joani Johnson being interviewed by former Mr SA 2009 Stephen Segal (they won in the same Year – coincidentally)

No FranklyWild Fashion Show would be complete without sensational and professional styling from our Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists. Whilst Angelica and Ana were making-up our models, Dr Foil was on hand too not only transform our Models Hair into ‘Michelangelo’ works of art but he also performed a spectacular hair and dance show. Dr Foil is a Man of many talents.

With over 30 years experience in Styling Hair, including 15 years with Ethnic Hair, Dr Foil is also a Dance Instructor and showcases an astounding Hair & Dance Show choreographed by FranklyWild.

Dr Foil admiring his work on the Gorgeous Michaela…

A fitting way to conclude this narration is just as dramatic as the manner in which we opened each of our Fashion Shows, with an amazingly talented, incredibly good-looking and quite frankly (‘scuse the Pun), all round great Guy.

Morgan Beatbox is an absolute pleasure to work with, he is always mindful of what you want to get from his performance, and of course he always pushes himself to deliver the best for his audience. In fact, for the 1st time I understand in the World, Morgan Beatbox set an unofficial world record by generating 8 consecutive sounds, yes EIGHT, from his mouth, all at the same time during our Show. As always Brother – You Rocked our Gig! #ProudlySouthAfrican

#Big @_FranklyWild #ShoutOut to a remarkable Man and incredibly #TalentedArtist @MorganBeatbox & of course the Man who always makes him look #Dapper for his Gigs @Dr_Foil

Finally to conclude this Blog, I have to also give a big thanks to the VIP Room in the Towers that allowed us to host our #AfterParty in their awesome club. Chris, Amar, Nicci – Thanks. I’m not going to explain how #Awesome it was, and I’m not going to tell you who was there, as the who’s who of Gauteng joined us, but what I am going to tell you is that it was an astonishing evening, and if you were invited then you’ll know what we’re talking about. Great Dancing by the Girls, great fashion show by our Models and some of our Mrs SA 2013 finalists, but most of all a phenomenal #AfterParty at the VIP Room Michelangelo Towers Mall, Sandton.

Don’t forget Folks, if you want to host an #Awe-Inspiring Show, get hold of us and we’ll see how we can help activate your brank or launch your product, or convert your offering to a household name.

Right, time to move on to the next gig and get planning….thanks for joining us for this one…